Talking Therapies
Structured psychological treatments such as CBT, counselling and guided self-help.
Last revised
Key takeaways
- Self-referral: available in England without a GP referral
- First-line for anxiety and less severe depression: CBT and guided self-help
- Most useful single change: Refer yourself directly rather than waiting for an appointment to ask.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming you need a GP referral first.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
Why it matters
They are first-line treatment for several common conditions, and in England you can refer yourself without going through a GP.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Self-referral | available in England without a GP referral |
| First-line for anxiety and less severe depression | CBT and guided self-help |
| Typical CBT course | around 6-20 sessions |
| Delivery | in person, by phone, by video, or digitally |
| Cost on the NHS | free |
What helps
- Refer yourself directly rather than waiting for an appointment to ask
- Do the between-session work, which is where most of the change happens
- Say early if the approach is not fitting; it can be changed
- Ask about waiting times and about digital options meanwhile
What to avoid
- Assuming you need a GP referral first
- Stopping after one difficult session
- Treating therapy and medication as mutually exclusive
Where to go next
- The Evidence on Talking Therapies, Without the Hype
- Making Sense of Talking Therapies
- The Evidence on Screen Time and Mood, Without the Hype
- Supporting Someone Else: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to get help
See a GP urgently, or call NHS 111, if you feel unable to keep yourself safe, if symptoms are severe, or if you have psychotic symptoms such as hearing voices. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact the Samaritans free on 116 123 at any hour. In immediate danger, call 999.
Where this comes from
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarised or generalised beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to a GP, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 999.